ALT2870

Correct, when they run 2 trains the lift runs slower than when they are operating only one. However with 2 train ops the lift hill speeds up just before the train crests the hill. So there shouldnt be much speed difference between one and 2 train ops on the TT. They also adjust the arrival brakes. You'll notice they slow down the train a lot less with just one train so it can cruise into the station.

Stuff like this really pisses me off and people wonder why I never joined Facebook. Humanity really is slipping away and this is solid evidence of that. There is nothing wrong with venting on your personal Facebook page. If the guy didn't like it, get off of it. coasterbill really hit it home about some enthusiast. There is a reason I joined this site and every less whinny enthusiast we have it better. This community helped me planned the trip of a lifetime and I had a great time. (And I still need to put that trip report together to return the favor.) I've been apart of other communities who are a lot more sterile then this. As long as you have common sense and are respectable to other members, you can post a lot of fun interesting stuff. I know coasterbill's latest report would be kicked off plenty of places. I completely understand why there are no more TPR tours and probably in the future no WCB. I'm not going to whine about it because if I was put in the exact same position, I'd do the exact same. Hopefully I'll attend WCB this year but if it doesn't happen, I'm blaming those that whine and aren't thankful, not Robb. Good for him enjoying time with his friends across the world doing what he likes to do. I'm genuinely thankful for this site (more then I can express) and may it at least live on for years to come. As for the hate Robb Facebook pages, hey, must be doing something right.

What did I just watch? Seriously, I laughed pretty hard, now how many people think this guy was serious?

Is there anything you can do to Columbia Carousel to make it look ugly? Seriously, it and the surrounding area look incredible.

Maverick: El Toro: Both old versions but I thought I'd let you know.

Every time I've ridden it, it's been ridiculously smooth. It has its issues but I don't remember any rattle except one small "rumble" at the bottom of the drop on my second ride on it. Seconded, Titan is easily one of the smoothest rides I've been on. Even when it was flying at the end of October.

I mean, it easily withstood a wind gust 3 times that of what it's allowed to operate in so personally I'd say that's a +1 for Von Roll. I think it's hilarious that Sky Screamer was up in the air when it hit too. Apparently the seats were all slamming together Windseeker style. Judging by the fact that the ride was already stopped this video was obviously taken after the strongest initial gust. Dang, those things can take some wind. 0.o I will stop our tram if it gust above 50 and wait it out. As you said it kinda came out of the middle of nowhere. That ride on Sky Screamer though would of been great. Wonder if maintenance had to set the haul rope back into place...

Still, the high yesterday here was 27 and when we opened the Alpine Coaster (still amazed that happen) it was 10 with a wind chill of -11 on it. Then again at 80 MPH at 30 degrees, yep, that is cold. I would go to Six Flags in a heartbeat at 30 degrees, I envy you Bill.

Celebrate. Called it. lol But seriously, I don't blame him, do you see what he has to endure?

If you read the end of Robb's post, it clearly says that they will be selecting people.

Sorry, this thread got lost somewhere near the bottom. But yes, grips are extremely durable. There are two types of grips, a detachable grip and a fixed grip which is what I deal with. As King noted, the grip has multiple parts with the actual grip being what holds onto the haul rope. The grip can be pressured by several different means. (Though older chairs, especially Riblet chairs are actually woven into the haul rope.) The actual force extorted is over what the maximum carrier is rated to. Not only as a fail safe but as the grade gets steeper, the more weight it actually needs to hold to prevent slipping. (Hope I explained that well enough.) Our grip leave about 1-2 inches of space on the bottom or exposed haul rope, I'll take a picture for ya. The black things that extend on either side of the grip are called needles or duck bills. They as mentioned are mainly for a comfortable ride for depression towers. (Technically they aren't needed, but it would be an extremely rough ride.) What actually connects the grip to the carrier is called a hanger. With a fixed grip system, obviously the grip stays in the same spot. This over time can stretch a haul rope only in one location is a big problem. Therefore every month the cabins are moved 21 inches further down the line. This allows the haul rope to stretch more evenly. Unfortunately I do not have video of this as it is usually done early morning but I did get to see it last year when they did it after we were closed. There is a dedicated pump that hooks up to the tension system and is clamped onto the grip. The tension is applied and opens up the grip just enough to move the cabin. The tram is started and the cabin stays in place. It's a little jerky but it gets the job done. The grip goes through a non-destructive test once a year. Basically the grip is "x-rayed" and they look for any cracks, fractures, etc. As far as I know the actually recorded incidents of a carrier falling off the haul rope is less then 20? (If that, I couldn't find a record.) Same thing with a grip slippage. Let me know if that clears it up. Also, I'm putting together a video showing the APU test that I did on Monday.

Roar \neq Joker. Older GCI \neq new RMC. They were assigning seats at Wicked Cyclone earlier this year, and that was on a quieter day almost a year after that coaster's opening. Roar's station is only somewhat larger than that one (although there is space for people to wait for the front and back). Wicked Cyclone crew was doing really well pumping them out. And SFDK crowds are really dumb and slow (all stoned?) when it comes to finding a row. So it's probably better for throughput, but not for us. (I know I always talk about WC, LOL. The other RMCs I've been on haven't been so stickler about assigning rows). THey don't allow requests? I requested a row when we were there without an issue. (Back row)

I noticed this member hasn't been on for years but I feel some people still wonder and I want to clarify specifically on wind. Number one point, ropeways and wind do not mix well. Granted some handle better then others (ex. chair lifts) but they all have limitations. Our particular installation, a pulse gondola, can technically run to 50 mph though you take a big hit at 30 mph and 45 we start clearing the line. I've been told that typical gondolas have roughly the same limitations. That being said we would never run the lift if we felt the winds were a danger to other people and itself. But, every once in a while, crap can hit the fan very fast. Our tram is subject to a mountain that amplifies wind pretty well. We have three wind veins to monitor winds. As the wind increases we slow the tram down according to this chart: Most often the tram starts throwing faults as well. A fault is when the tram thinks something is wrong and stops itself. During a wind event these will be CPS (cable position) faults. There are two of these sensors on each side of a tower. When it gets winder both of the sensors fault resulting in this: If they reset, we continue on reducing the tram speed further. However if they do not, then the haul rope has most likely moved out of position. This usually occurs when cabins are near the tower. We first establish visual contact with the tower confirming the haul rope has not left the sheaves. Then we do one of two things: 1.) If the cabins have not passed the tower or on it, we bypass both systems and run at 100 fpm. The goal is that the weight of the cabins sets the haul rope back into the middle of the sheaves. 9/10 this will work and we resume normal operations, but if not... 2.)...or the cabins have passed the tower, we go with plan b. Maintenance will go to the tower to set the haul rope back into place. There is a ladder on each tower and using a harness they gradually ascend the tower. Once on the top they will proceed to the correct side. Then using what is a huge crowbar, move it back into place. This happens a few times a year and depending on the tower they can do it in as little as 10 minutes, and even less sometimes. So, is it possible for the haul rope to completely leave the sheaves? Absolutely, the main cause would be a sudden wind spike and/or change in directions. (Or simply running it too fast for wind.) Other example include a malfunction of a sheave, and cabins being swung by guest. When the haul rope leaves the sheaves, it is called a deropement. I wish I could tell you deropements never happen, but they do. I can't pull an exact number for you but I'm sure there are a couple every year. So why don't you hear about most of them? Simply because most never result in much. That is because on each tower are a handful of cable catchers. These guys are responsible for catching the haul rope if it leaves the sheaves. They are designed as such so if carriers are passing by, they will slide on over as the tram comes to a stop. We as the operating personal can tell if a deropement occurred if we have not only the double CPS fault doesn't reset, but also a Tower Zone Cutwire Fault. The cutwire is exactly as it sound, there is one on each side of the tower below the cable catcher. When the haul rope falls, it literally cuts a wire setting off the fault. Our tram is seperated into four zones particularly. So if I saw this: Tower 7 Sys 1 LS CPS Tower 7 Sys 2 LS CPS Tower Zone 2 Cutwire I know that there is most likely a deropement on the Tower 7 Light Side. (The downhill side.) Again, we will establish visual contact with the tower to confirm the condition. Maintenance will then start the same procedure as if they were moving the haul rope back into the position. Except they will use a come-along to put the haul rope into place. Think of it as a winch. They lift the haul rope up, then glide it back on the sheaves. After that is done, a special procedure is used to bypass the cutwire fault as since the wire is cut, it cannot reset. Once we clear the line, the cutwire is then replaced. In our state, after that is done, as long as it was wind related, we can continue to load the tram. If it was other reasons, the tram will not re-open. Regardless we must within a certain time frame write a report to the CPTSB (Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board) about the incident. Towers most prone to deropement are lift towers. These are the most common towers in which the haul rope is lifted above the ground, the haul rope runs over the sheaves. Much less common are depression towers. You'll find these most of the time these at the bottom of lifts. The purpose of these is to make sure the haul rope does not go to far up, the haul rope runs under the sheaves. On towers in which the force of the haul rope is nearly equal in up and down forces, sheaves may surround the haul rope on each side. I'm not going to lie, there is always the chance the the haul rope can completely fall off the tower. This would most likely happen if the main axle failed catastrophically, not wind. The haul rope is heavy enough that it takes a massive force to actually throw it off the tower. Like many other things, you are far more likely to get injured or killed on the way there. Our system and other modern lift ways are extremely efficient and safe. There are hundreds of sensors that monitor everything right down to the bullwheel liner. We have several state inspections a year to ensure that not only our lift is safe but our personal is trained properly and correctly. As the trainer, I take my job very seriously, I do not give an okay until I feel confident that that person can run the lift safely not only in normal situations, but emergency situations as well. I hope that provides some closure on wind issues and safety. If you have any other questions with anything to do with ropeways and such, please feel free to ask and I will answer to the best of my knowledge. I will never give false information. Below is a picture of a typical tower with terminology. I will be posting my "report" later this week. Stay tuned.

I would take what he said with a grain of salt. I don't believe it till the park announces or a reputable source says something. That being said his guess on the next few years would seem pretty typical for a park like this. On the Gwazi note, I'm not quite yet sold on the tear down. Their initial excuse was lack of funds but look what they've done since then. I don't think you keep an eye sore like that in your park for that long without having plans. Then again I'm not Busch Gardens, I guess we'll continue to sit tight to see what happens.

Roar at SFDK about a week or so before its announced closure. (That was when the rumored/partly confirmed closure was going around.) I really wanted to get it in since we knew it was going to close though at least it was a station wait. As Larry said, lot of coulda, woulda, shoulda credits.

Number one would have to be this guy: It was extremely fun and entertaining to mess with people on this ride. (That includes employees at parties.) I even got to be on TV because of it. There was never a dull moment at this ride. The only thing that really sucked about it was that it was part of a rotation with three kiddy flats during the Summer. Next would have to be my current position, tram operator. I moved to this position full time last Winter and have little regrets doing so. This job presents many unique challenges and you never know what can happen when you come in for the day. Honorable mention goes to Cliffhanger because I've always wanted to operate a roller coaster, but dang was it loud. At it's last home. One story from this ride that is very ironic. The first year I worked it we had an issue. (No surprise for a 20 year old coaster, the rain use to set-up the block system. Usually with the train on the lift hill and I had to climb it.) We hit 1 to 2 which is the dispatch button essentially, the speech played then the train will go. Well not today. We try again, nothing. This is nothing unusual and we call maintenance. They cannot figure it out either from the panel. Even after going to the control room nothing happens and we end up shutting down the ride. Well come to find out the the lift computer has decided to call it a day. Even funnier the guy that figures this out says that the computer was originally designed for an elevator! So fast forward a month later they get the computer replaced with the correct one. The crew that day? Me and the other guy who were working it when it broke down. Needless to say I was ready for something else to happen that day... I keep meaning to post pictures of the park and post a day in the life of a tram op. Hopefully I'll get that done soon and I'll throw in some other pictures.

As in billboard usage? Just Google "rct3 billboards vista", it isn't that hard. If you are talking about pictures you took in the game, they are found here: C:\Users\[username]\Pictures\RCT3

Wait, you're telling me they had three trains on Demon? Dang, I can't begin to remember when that last happened. That thing can be a capacity beast with three trains, though VR is a different story.

Please god, no. Rest assured I was talking about sky rides. Actually I'm planning a "trip" report on a typical day for a lift operator. Won't be till later this month though as we are closed till next weekend.

Whistler Blackcomb is considering the largest ski area in the world and that gondola connects the two namesake mountains. Back to the regularly scheduled programing.

Wait, huh? Did I miss something?? Yes and no, he's being a little bit dramatic. Go to the Kolmarden thread and read that.

http://youtubedoubler.com/?video1=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmkOXrd-zxVs&start1=11&video2=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D0WpNSImh6Z8&start2=34&authorName= Left is current, right is old.

Anyone that has been on Titan before rode it recently? Stopped by the park today to get my pass activated and headed over to Titan. First off, three train ops! Second, they ops were actually trying to hurry everybody along though you know how that goes. But they did dispatch a train by the time one was at the MCBR. Back to my original point Titan was hauling, and when I mean hauling as in slamming into the MCBR and the runout at the end. Seems like it may have cold weather wheels on and with a 85 degree night, well you get the idea. Most intense rides I've had on that thing in a while. Oh, and a round on Texas Giant, best ride yet, but still...

That better have been sarcasm considering Lietner-Poma and Doppelmayr-CTEC (both European companies) are the main manufacturers here in the U.S. (Oh, and the safety features are outstanding. ) Seriously folks, if you have any questions about lift safety here in the U.S., ask away, I'm an actual lift operator.

From what I have heard (don't quote me on this part), the cable is replaced once every year. If that's true it would be much more frequent than the average Sky Ride (but maybe it is, you would know the ride better than I would). Generally parks wait about ten years before they replace them. I kind of remember watching it a few years ago on the webcam (because I'm a huge dork) it was laying down across the main midway with pieces of wood (or what looked like wood) under it for the length of the cable to keep it off the ground. I'd love to see how they splice it. Yes Bill was close! Cedar Point usually changes it out after about 7yrs. It also has the frayed cable detection system as mentioned that can detect any issues. That's intersting, we have had the same haul rope on our gondola since it opened in 2003. I can tell you it at a minimum would tie Sky Ride in hours. More commonly the haul rope is re-spliced as it stretches. Splicing is a very time consuming process that can only be done with good old manual labor. It is actually complicated enough that last I heard there are only two family's in the US that do it. I think the most intersting part of the whole deal is that nothing is really melted together, it's all friction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNKH-NJJV This video gives you a brief idea on how it goes, I'm sure there are plenty more in the suggestions section. If anyone wants, I can take a picture later this week of our splices.